Hawk hoodoo ends
GDFL PRELIM It’s fourth time lucky for coach
INVERLEIGH coach Mark McDowell has told of his relief after his side ended its preliminary final hoodoo to book its first grand final appearance in 25 years.
The Hawks exposed Bannockburn’s lack of rotations in the final term, running away from the Tigers with the last four goals of the match to win 18.14 (122) to 12.10 (82).
They now face league powerhouse Bell Post Hill in the decider — a club contesting its 10th consecutive grand final.
Inverleigh supporters started tearing up in the last quarter when they realised their Hawks would play in a grand final for the first time since 1992, when the club was known as Leigh Districts.
“You want to play 25 to 26 players so it was a really tough week leading into it but that’s all part of coaching,” McDowell said.
“When the siren sounded, it was a sense of relief, moreso than elation. I just felt that the boys really deserved this opportunity.
“But we have another game to focus on now.”
After a touchless opening 20 minutes of the game, prolific goalkicker Jak Kennedy-Hunt, who finally returned from his longrunning quad injury, kicked two of his three goals in the final term to announce his comeback.
While the 28-year-old — who has booted 107 goals from 15 games this year — pulled up very sore after more than six weeks on the sidelines, he declared himself ready to play the grand final.
“He (Kennedy-Hunt) hasn’t played for six weeks now and he got better as the game went on,” McDowell said.
“There were poor entries in the first half, a lot of people didn’t think he did much early, but forwards are only as good as the entry going to them.
“We’ve got to sharpen up in that area and he’ll be much better for the run.”
While Kennedy-Hunt finished with seven marks and 11 disposals, it was another former Geelong Falcon, Rob Logue, who dominated, collecting 31 disposals.
“I don’t always do the best players and I rang him (Logue) to tell him that he was in my personal best six because he had a cracking game,” McDowell said.
“He’s had a really good season, he’s really fit, tackles really hard and he has proven to be the ideal pressure footballer.”
The Hawks also look like they will be able to match the run and carry of Panthers Adrian Fantella and Tane Rabbas next week, with Nathan Mayes and Michael Best both showing their credentials.
Mayes finished with four goals, and showed his flair with look-away handballs to Best, who had 27 disposals and kicked two goals.
“They’ve been great players for us in both finals games and they have this chemistry where they know each other back to front,” McDowell said.
“They’ve been a real bonus for us and Will Hamer is another one who is a real little tough nut who gets in hard and under. Blake Hutchinson’s use of the ball was just exceptional and if he gets one possession they’re worth two possessions because of the way he uses the ball.”
Inverleigh’s last grand final was the 1992 GDFL Division 2 decider before the club went into recess from 1995-2001.
“He (Kennedy-Hunt) hasn’t played for six weeks now and he got better as the game went on.” I NVERLEIGH COACH MARK MCDOWELL
IT has taken Inverleigh senior coach Mark McDowell four attempts to make the big dance.
And now he’s there, he’ll need to pick a side to spoil Bell Post Hill’s quest for a four-peat.
The first variable will be whether co-captain Ryan Garrard will be available after the umpires requested his alleged strike on Jack Brauman be looked at by AFL Barwon’s match review panel.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet, it’s a wait-andsee at this point,” McDowell said.
Then there’s the recovery of former captain Dean Muir, who played a limited role in the second half on Saturday.
“At this stage we’re confident he’ll be OK, that looked like a bit more of an impact injury,” McDowell said.
“He’s going to be icing up, taking some antiinflammatories and getting physio, so we’re optimistic he’ll be right to go.”
After playing in Inverleigh’s opening 19 games, Curtis Young joined Jakeb Templeton (18 games) and Adam Muir (six games) as late omissions for the Hawks.
This allowed spearhead Jak Kennedy-Hunt to make his long-awaited return, alongside Jordan Drew and second ruckman Hamish Bennett.
“Team structure and team balance were the only issues for those three,” McDowell said.
“We’ll keep reviewing this game and our game against Bell Post Hill from last week and have a look at the side that has the most team balance.
“Those three boys will most definitely be in the mix for this week’s grand final.”